Systems and methods for providing a removable media handling system in data storage system

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for providing a removable media handling system in a data storage system are provided. Briefly described, in one of many possible embodiments the data storage system comprises a plurality of housings, a media handling system, and a lift system. The plurality of housings are arranged in vertical stacks and each of the plurality of housings is configured to receive one or more media storage devices that are configured to receive a plurality of data media. The media handling system is configured to access the plurality of data media received by the media storage device. The lift assembly is configured to move the media handling system vertically between the plurality of housings. The media handling system and the lift assembly are configured such that the media handling system is removably attached to the lift assembly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is generally related to data storage systems, andmore particularly is related to systems and methods for providing aremovable media handling system in the data storage system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many different types of data storage systems exist and are currentlybeing used to store and access various types of data media, such asoptical disks and magnetic tape cartridges to name a few, so that datamay be read from and/or written to the data media. Typically, datastorage systems include many media storage devices for storing a groupof data media, one or more data exchange devices for reading from and/orwriting to the data media, and a media handling system for transferringthe data media between the media storage devices and the data exchangedevices. A typical example of a data storage system is disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/045,134, entitled “Multi-PlaneTranslating Cartridge Handling System,” which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

The data media employed by data storage systems may be any of a varietyof types of machine-readable devices capable of storing data, having thedata read from the device by a data exchange device, and/or having thedata written to the device by the data exchange devices. For instance,the data media may be a magnetic disk or tape, such as a digital lineartape (DLT) or an optical disk, such as a compact disc (CD) and a digitalvideo disc (DVD). Depending on the type of data media employed by thedata storage system, any of a variety of data exchange devices may beused.

The data exchange devices and the media storage devices are typicallypositioned at various locations around the media handling system so thatthe media handling system may access the data media stored in the mediastorage devices. Examples of media storage devices are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,042,205, entitled “Media Holding Device Incorporating A MediaLocking Mechanism” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/257,322entitled “Data Cartridge Exchange Apparatus,” which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

Data storage systems are usually connected to a host computer systemthat may access or store data on the data media. For example, if thehost computer issues a request for data contained on a particular datamedium, a control system associated with the data storage system mayengage a positioning system to move the media handling system adjacentthe desired data medium. The media handling system may then remove thedata medium from the media storage device and transport it to the dataexchange device. When properly positioned adjacent the data exchangedevice, the media handling system may insert the data medium in the dataexchange device so that the host computer may access the data stored onthe data medium.

In many data storage systems, the media storage devices are arranged ina plurality of vertical stacks. Such data storage systems typicallyinclude a lift assembly engaged with, and for, moving the media handlingsystem to access the data media arranged in the vertical stacks.Typically, the lift assembly and the media handling system aremanufactured and implemented as two separate devices within the datastorage system. This is primarily because of the complex mechanicalconfiguration of the media handling system, which causes a much higherfailure rate than for the lift assembly. An existing approach toproviding access to the media handling system involves removing a coverfrom the top of the data storage system and removing the lift assemblyand the media handling system.

However, accessing the media handling system in this manner is veryproblematic. For instance, this approach requires both the lift assemblyand the media handling system to be removed from the data storagesystem, which can lead to unnecessary problems with the lift assembly.As more and more vertical stacks are employed in the data storagesystem, access to the media handling system becomes more and moredifficult. Furthermore, where the data storage system implements aplurality of vertical stacks, the area above the data storage system maynot be accessible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides systems and methods for providing aremovable media handling system in a data storage system.

The present invention may be viewed as a data storage system. Brieflydescribed, in one of many possible embodiments the data storage systemcomprises a plurality of housings, a media handling system, and a liftsystem. The plurality of housings are arranged in vertical stacks andeach of the plurality of housings is configured to receive one or moremedia storage devices that are configured to receive a plurality of datamedia. The media handling system is configured to access the pluralityof data media received by the media storage device. The lift assembly isconfigured to move the media handling system vertically between theplurality of housings. The media handling system and the lift assemblyare configured such that the media handling system is removably attachedto the lift assembly.

The present invention may also be viewed as a method for providingaccess to a media handling system in a data storage system. The datastorage system comprises a plurality of housings arranged in a pluralityof vertical stacks. Each of the plurality of housings are configured toreceive one or more media storage devices that are configured to receivea plurality of data media. Briefly, one such method comprises the stepsof: providing a media handling system, the media handling systemconfigured to access the plurality of data media received by the mediastorage device; providing a lift assembly, the lift assembly configuredto move the media handling system vertically between the plurality ofhousings; and removably attaching the lift assembly and the mediahandling system

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principlesof the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like referencenumerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of many possible embodiments of adata storage system.

FIG. 2 is a top view diagram illustrating the internal arrangement ofthe components of the data storage system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a data storagesystem.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the media handling system in the datastorage system of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of many possible embodiments of adata medium access device according to the present invention that may beused in the media handling system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of many possible embodiments of alift assembly according to the present invention that may be used in thedata storage system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the lift assembly of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is top view of the lift assembly of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a lift assemblythat may be used in the data storage system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating one of many possibleembodiments for removably securing the media handling system of FIG. 4and the lift assembly of FIGS. 6-9 according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the media handling system ofFIG. 4 being removed from the data storage system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one of many possible embodiments of adata media exchange apparatus according to the present invention thatmay be used in the data storage system of FIGS. 1-3 for storing datamedia.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the data media exchangeapparatus of FIG. 12 and one of many possible embodiments of a mountingsystem according to the present invention that may be used to mount thedata media exchange apparatus to the data storage system of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of the data media exchangeapparatus of FIG. 12 mounted in the data storage system of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 15 is a detailed diagram of the mounting system of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of one of the guide rails in themounting system of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of another of the guide rails in themounting system of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is side view of the guide rail of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the guide rail of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating the engagement of the guide rails ofFIGS. 16-19.

FIG. 21 is a side view illustrating the engagement of the data mediaexchange apparatus of FIG. 12 and the mounting system of FIG. 15.

FIG. 22 is a side view of one of many possible embodiments of a lockingsystem for locking the data media exchange apparatus of FIG. 12 in theretracted position according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a top view of the lock plate in the locking system of FIG.22.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a data mediaexchange apparatus that contains a supplemental storage apparatusaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the data media exchange apparatus ofFIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a storage tray of the data mediaexchange apparatus of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of one of many possible embodiments of anintegrated media exchange/storage device that may be inserted andremoved from the data storage system of FIGS. 1-3 according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 28 is a side view of the integrated media exchange/storage deviceof FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a top view of the integrated media exchange/storage device ofFIG. 27 illustrating a spring mechanism.

FIG. 30 is a side cross-sectional view of the integrated mediaexchange/storage device of FIGS. 27-29 illustrating the operation of thespring mechanism.

FIG. 31 is a side view of one of many possible embodiments of anautomated media exchange system according to the present invention thatmay be used to automatically retract and extend the data media exchangeapparatus of FIGS. 12 and 24-26 in the data storage system of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 32 is an end view of the automated media exchange system of FIG.31.

FIG. 33 is a top view of another embodiment of a spring retention systemaccording to the present invention that may be used in the data mediaexchange apparatus of FIGS. 12 and 24-30 for retaining the data media.

FIG. 34 is a side view of the operation of the spring retention systemof FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a top view of yet another embodiment of a spring retentionsystem according to the present invention that may be used in the datamedia exchange apparatus of FIGS. 12 and 24-30 for retaining the datamedia.

FIG. 36 is a detailed view of spring guide tabs of the spring retentionsystem in FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is a side view of the operation of the spring retention systemof FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of one of many possible embodiments of abulk data media access system according to the present invention forproviding an operator and/or service personnel access to a plurality ofdata media contained in the data storage system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 39 is a side cross-sectional view of the bulk data media accesssystem of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a top cross-sectional view of the bulk data media accesssystem of FIG. 38.

FIG. 41 is a top view illustrating the frame assembly of the mediahandling system of FIGS. 2 and 4 removably attached to a lift frameaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a front view of the frame assembly and lift frame of FIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is a side view of the frame assembly and lift frame of FIG. 41.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

I. Data Storage System

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a data storage system 100 for handling andstoring various data media 102. Data storage system 100 may comprise ahousing 104 that contains media storage devices 106, such as magazines,for storing a group of data media 102, data exchange devices 108 forreading from, and/or writing to, data media 102, a media handling system200 for transferring data media 102 between media storage devices 106and data exchange devices 108, media storage access panels 110, andhandling system access panel 112. One of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that housing 104 may also contain any of a variety ofadditional components or devices, such as control systems, processors,memory devices, software modules, and power supplies to name a few,which may be required or desired for operation of data storage system100.

Data storage system 100 may be implemented in a number of differenttypes of data storage systems. For example, data storage system 100 maybe implemented within a data storage system of the type shown anddescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,972 entitled “Multi-Plane TranslatingCartridge Handling System.” Although the present drawings illustrate aparticular type of data storage system, one of ordinary skill in the artwill understand that data storage system 100 may be implemented in anyof a variety of alternative types of data storage systems.

In this regard, data media 102 may be any of a variety of types ofmachine-readable devices capable of storing data, having the data readfrom the device by data exchange devices 108, and/or having the datawritten to the device by data exchange devices 108. For example, datamedia 102 may be a magnetic disk or tape, such as a digital linear tape(DLT), an optical disk, such as a compact disc (CD) and a digital videodisc (DVD), or any other type of data medium regardless of the way inwhich data is stored on the data medium 102, read from the data medium102, and/or written to the data medium 102. Accordingly, data exchangedevices 108 may be configured in a variety of different ways dependingon the specific type of data medium 102 being used in data storagesystem 100.

Data exchange devices 108 and media storage devices 106 may bepositioned at various locations around media handling system 200 so thatthey define the generally U-shaped configuration shown in FIG. 2. Inthis manner, media handling system 200 may access data media 102 frommedia access planes 202, 204, and 206. As one of ordinary skill in theart will understand, data exchange devices 108, media storage devices106, and media handling system 200 may be arranged in numerousalternative configurations.

Media storage devices 106 may be configured in a variety of ways. Forexample, media storage device 106 may be configured as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,042,205. As described in more detail below, media storagedevices 106 may be implemented within a data media exchange apparatus120. Data media exchange apparatus 120 may comprise a retractable drawer114, such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/257,322entitled “Data Cartridge Exchange Apparatus.” In other embodiments, datamedia exchange apparatus 120 may be implemented without the need for theretractable drawer. For example, as described below with respect toFIGS. 27-30, data media exchange apparatus 120 according to the presentinvention may be configured to eliminate the need for the retractabledrawer.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, housings 104 may be arranged in verticalstacks to expand the capacity of data storage system 100. Media storagedevices 106 in housings 104 may be arranged so that they form aplurality of vertical stacks 300 in data storage system 100. Asdescribed in detail below, where data storage system 100 includes alarge number of data media 102 arranged in vertical stacks 300, datastorage system 100 may further comprise a lift assembly 600 for movingmedia handling system 200 to access data media 102.

II. Media Handling System

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, media handling system 200 may comprise aframe assembly 214, a data medium access device 216, and a positioningsystem 400. Frame assembly 214 may comprise a lower or base plate 402and an upper or top plate 404 that are held in generally parallel,spaced-apart relation by a support structure 406. Frame assembly 214 maydefine a generally rectangularly-shaped structure having a first lateralside portion 408, a second lateral side portion 410, a front sideportion 412, and a back side portion 414. By way of example, frameassembly 214 may be positioned within data storage system 100 such thatlateral side portions 408 and 410 are adjacent to one or more mediastorage devices 106, front side portion 412 is adjacent to handlingsystem access panel 112, and back side portion 414 is adjacent one ormore data exchange devices 108. However, one of ordinary skill in theart will understand that the configuration of frame assembly 214 may bevaried depending on the specific positioning of media storage devices106, data exchange devices 108, and handling system access panel 112within data storage system 100. The important aspect is that mediahandling system 200 transports data media 102 between media storagedevices 106 and data exchange devices 108.

Lower plate 402 of frame assembly 214 may include a lower U-shaped guidemember or channel 416 that forms a substantially continuous member alongfirst lateral side portion 408, second lateral side portion 410, andback side portion 414 of frame assembly 214. Similarly, upper plate 404may include an upper U-shaped guide member or channel 418 that alsoforms a substantially continuous member along first lateral side portion408, second lateral side portion 410, and back side portion 414 of frameassembly 214.

Media handling system 200 may further comprise a data medium accessdevice 216 configured for loading data media 102 to and from mediastorage devices 106 and data exchange devices 108. In certainembodiments, data media access device 216 may be configured as describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/045,558, entitled “CartridgeEngaging Assembly with Rack Drive Thumb Actuator System,” which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In other embodiments,data medium access device 216 may be configured as described in thefollowing U.S. patents, which are all hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,232 entitled “Optical DiskHandling Apparatus with Flip Latch;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,536 entitled“Cartridge Handling System;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,255 entitled “OpticalDisk Cartridge Handling Apparatus with Passive Cartridge EngagementAssembly;” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,962 entitled “Cartridge HandlingSystem.” The precise configuration of data medium access device 216 isnot relevant. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat there are various other embodiments of data medium access device216.

Data medium access device 216 engages upper and lower U-shaped guidemembers 416 and 418 along first lateral side portion 408, second lateralside portion 410, and back side portion 414 of frame assembly 214. Inother words, data medium access device 216 moves along a generallyU-shaped path 220 corresponding to guide members 416 and 418. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 2, data medium access device 216 may bemoved between a first position 222 adjacent first lateral side portion408, a second position 222′ adjacent back side portion 414, and a thirdposition 222″ adjacent second lateral side portion 410. Obviously, datamedium access device 216 may also be moved in any of a variety of otherways. For instance, data medium access device 216 may be moved from aposition adjacent second lateral side portion 410 to positions adjacentback side portion 414 and first lateral side portion 408. The importantaspect is that depending on the particular configuration of frameassembly 214 and the particular arrangement of media storage devices 106and data exchange devices 108 within data storage system 100, datamedium access device 216 may retrieve and provide data media 102 bybeing moved adjacent media storage devices 106 and data exchange devices108.

Data medium access device 216 may be moved along lower and upper guidemembers 416 and 418 by positioning system 400. FIG. 5 illustrates one ofa number of possible embodiments of data medium access device andpositioning system 400. Positioning system 400 may comprise a rack andpinion drive system having a substantially continuous lower gear rack230 mounted adjacent U-shaped guide member 416. A lower pinion gear 500may be mounted to data medium access device 216 so that it engages lowergear rack 230. A pair of lower bearing members 502 and 504 mounted todata medium access device 216 may be configured to be received byguiding member 416. Data medium access device 216 may also comprise apair of upper bearing members 506 and 508 and an upper pinion gear 510,which engage upper U-shaped guide member 418 and an upper U-shaped gearrack 430 provided on upper plate 404. A drive pinion actuator 512 may beused to drive lower and upper pinion gears 500 and 510 and position datamedium access device 216 along U-shaped path 220.

In operation, data storage system 100 may be used to transfer data media102 between media storage devices 106 and data exchange devices 108positioned throughout data storage system 100. For example, data storagesystem 100 may be used by a host computer (not shown) or other dataprocessing system to store and access data contained in data media 102.If the host computer system issues a request for data stored on aparticular data medium 102, a control system (not shown) associated withdata storage system 100 may operate positioning system 400 as necessaryto position data medium access device 216 until it is located adjacentthe appropriate data medium 102.

For instance, a desired data medium 102 may be stored in data storagesystem 100 in one of media storage devices 106. Upon receiving a requestfor the data medium 102 from the host computer system, the controlsystem operates positioning system 400 to move data medium access device216 along U-shaped path 220 until it is adjacent the selected datamedium 102 in media storage device 106. Data medium access device 216then loads the data medium 102 and positioning system 400 moves datamedium access device 216 to a data exchange device 108. Once properlypositioned adjacent the desired data exchange device 108, data mediumexchange device 216 loads the data medium 102 into the desired dataexchange device 108. As one of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand, the host computer system may then access the data on thedata medium 102.

When the data medium 102 is no longer needed, the control system mayoperate actuator 512 to move data medium access device 216 alongU-shaped path 220 until data medium access device 216 is again locatedadjacent the data exchange device 108 (if data medium access device 216is not already located in the appropriate position). Thereafter, datamedium access device 216 may retrieve the data medium 102 from dataexchange device 108. Data medium access device 216 may then return thedata medium 102 to an appropriate location in media storage device 106.

As stated above with respect to FIG. 3, in various embodiments of datastorage system 100, media storage devices 106 may be arranged in aplurality of vertical stacks 300. In such embodiments, data storagesystem 100 further comprises a lift assembly 600 (FIG. 6) operable toengage with and move moving media handling system 200 to access datamedia 102 arranged in the vertical stacks 300. The precise configurationof lift assembly 600 is not critical. As understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art, lift assembly 600 may be configured in any of avariety of ways.

Although any configuration may be used, as illustrated in FIG. 6, liftassembly 600 may be configured as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,556,entitled “Linear Displacement and Support Apparatus for Use in aCartridge Handling System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety. Lift assembly 600 may comprise a lower base plate 602, anupper base plate 604, a plurality of vertical beams 606, 608, and 610fixedly attached at opposite ends to the upper and lower base plates 604and 602, and a lift frame 612. Media handling system 200 may be fixedlysecured to lift frame 612. As described in detail below, media handlingsystem 200 is preferably removably secured to lift frame 612 so thatmedia handling system 200 may be easily detached from lift frame 612 andremoved from data storage system 100 via handling system access panel112. Base plates 602 and 604 and vertical beams 606, 608, and 610 areeach preferably constructed from a high-strength, yet lightweight,material, such as thin steel, aluminum, or any other material withdesirable properties.

Lift assembly 600 may include elongate flexible member means 614 fixedlysecured to lift frame 612 for providing support thereto and for applyinga driving force thereto to displace lift frame 612 and media handlingsystem 200 up and down in the vertical direction to access data media102 arranged in vertical stacks 300. Elongate flexible member means 614may comprise a plurality of elongate flexible members 616, 618, and 620.Each of the elongate flexible members 616, 618, and 620 maybe comprisedof a cable, such as that sold under the product name wire rope andmanufactured by Sava Industries. As understood by one of ordinary skillin the art, elongate flexible members 616, 618, and 620 may also becomprised of any other desirable material, such as, for example, africtionally-driven belt, a toothed belt, a steel band, or a chain.

Elongate flexible members 616, 618, and 620 are fixedly secured in anyconventional manner at one or more points, for example, 622, 624, and626, respectively, to lift frame 612. For example, when elongateflexible members 616, 618, and 620 are comprised of cables, each cablemay be provided with one or more ball-shaped fittings (not shown)fixedly secured to the cable which may be fitted into correspondinggrooves (not shown) on the lift frame 612.

In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, at least threeelongate flexible members 616, 618, and 620 are provided. Each elongateflexible member 616, 618, and 620 is preferably fixedly secured to liftframe 600 at one or more points 622, 624, and 626, respectively, so thatlift frame 612 and media handling system 200 are supported by at leastthree points.

Furthermore, at least three of these points, e.g. 622, 624, and 626, arenot located along the same axis. The three points 622, 624, and 626 thusdefine plane “P” extending perpendicularly to the displacement path “VV”of the lift frame 612 as shown in phantom in FIG. 6.

Such multiple-point support facilitates planar stability for lift frame612 and media handling system 200. For example, if the lift frame 612and media handling system 200 were supported at a single point therewould be a tendency to rotate around that point. Similarly, if the liftframe 612 and media handling system 200 were supported at only twopoints there would be a tendency to rotate around the axis on which thetwo points are located. However, these problems can be avoided byproviding a lift frame 612 that is supported at three (or more) points622, 624, and 626 such as described above.

The elongate flexible member means 614 is preferably constructed andarranged with at least three linear strand portions 630, 632, and 634extending parallel to the displacement path VV. Each linear strandportion 630, 632, and 634 is defined as a section of each elongateflexible member 616, 618, and 620, respectively, extending above andbelow the point 622, 624, and 626, respectively, at which the member616, 618, and 620 is attached to the lift frame 612. The linear strandportions 630, 632, and 634 all move in the same direction at the samerate in response to drive force applied to the elongate flexible membermeans 614, as described in greater detail below.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, lift assembly 600 may alsoinclude flexible member engagement means 640 fixedly positioned relativeto the displacement path VV. A function of the flexible memberengagement means 640 is to maintain the plurality of elongate flexiblemember means 616, 618, and 620 and linear strand portions 630, 632, and634 in parallel relationship with the displacement path VV. Anotherfunction of the flexible member engagement means 640 is to tension theelongate flexible member means 616, 618, and 620.

The flexible member engagement means 640 preferably comprises aplurality of pulley members 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, 658,and 660. Four pulley members (e.g. 642, 644, 646 and 648) are preferablymounted on the lower base plate 603, and six pulley members arepreferably mounted on the upper base plate 604, as shown in FIG. 6. Eachpulley member may have a diameter of, e.g., 1.8 inches, and a width of,e.g., 0.6 inches. Alternatively, the flexible member engagement means640 may be comprised of rollers, toothed pulleys, or the like, which maydepend upon the type of elongate flexible members used (e.g.frictionally-driven belts, toothed belts, steel bands, chains, etc.).

In a preferred embodiment, the pulley members may be configured in pairshaving parallel rotation axes which may be comprised of a first pair642, 644 mounted on the lower base plate 602; a second pair 646 and 648mounted on the lower base plate 602 perpendicularly to the first pair642, 644; a third pair 650, 652 mounted on the upper base plate 604directly above and parallel to the first pair 642, 644; a fourth pair654, 656 mounted on the upper base plate 604 perpendicularly to thethird pair 650, 652 and directly above the drive means 662 and capstan664 (the drive means 662 and capstan 664 are described in more detailbelow); and a fifth pair 658, 660 mounted on the upper base plate 604parallel to the fourth pair 654, 656 and directly above the second pair646, 648. Alternatively, each pulley member pair may be replaced by asingle, larger pulley member (not shown) which has a diameter “D”, equalto the distance between the outer portions of each pulley member pair.Three or more pulley members (not shown) may also replace each pulleymember pair.

Each elongate flexible member 616, 618, and 620 is in nonslippingengagement with at least one pulley member pair. Two of the elongateflexible members are preferably each associated with two pulley memberpairs; one pair mounted on the lower base plate 602, and the other pairmounted on the upper base plate 604.

Specifically, elongate flexible member 616 may be in nonslippingengagement with pulley member pair 646, 648 on the lower base plate 602and pulley member pair 658, 660 on the upper base plate 604. Elongateflexible member 618 may be similarly associated with pulley member pair642, 644 on the lower base plate 602 and pulley member pair 650, 652 onthe upper base plate 604. Elongate flexible member 620 may be similarlyassociated with pulley member pair 654, 656 on the upper base plate 604,and member 620 may be nonslipping engaged with a drive means 662 capstan664 mounted on the lower base plate 602, as described in further detailbelow.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each elongate flexible member 616, 618, and620 is preferably configured in a continuous loop with two verticalportions (e.g. 670, 672 of member 620). The pulley members associatedwith each elongate flexible member 616, 618, and 620 loop are spacedapart sufficiently, and each elongate flexible member 616, 618, and 620has an appropriate length (e.g. 120 inches), to maintain each elongateflexible member 616, 618, and 620 taut about the associated pulleymembers 642, 644, 646, etc. Thus, all of the vertical portions (e.g.670, 672) of all of the flexible members are taut and parallel.

Since elongate flexible members such as cables may stretch and slackenover time, one or more conventionally-known tensioning devices (notshown) may be provided for each elongate flexible member 616, 618, and620. Tensioning devices may be mounted, for example, with pulley members642, 644, 646, etc. so that the pulley members may be adjusted to takeup any slack in the elongate flexible members 616, 618, and 620.Tensioning devices may alternatively be mounted along each elongateflexible member 616, 618, and 620, for example, at the points 622, 624,and 626 where the members 616, 618, and 620 are attached to lift frame612.

Lift assembly 600 may further include drive means 662 operativelyconnected to the elongate flexible member means 640 for simultaneouslydriving the linear strand portions 630, 632, and 634 in the samedirection at the same rate as described above. The drive means 662 maybe comprised of a capstan 664 mounted on the lower base plate 602directly below the fourth pulley member pair 654, 656. The capstan 664may be operatively connected to an electric drive motor 666 by aconventional gear box 680 or the like. To maintain the vertical portionsof all of the flexible members parallel to one another as describedabove, the capstan 664 preferably has a diameter equal to that of onepulley member pair, i.e. the capstan 664 has a diameter equal to thediameter “D” of the fourth pulley member pair 654, 656. The capstan 664may also have a width of, e.g., 1.0 inch. The electric drive motor 682is preferably a ⅛ hp, 24 V dc motor, such as manufactured byElectro-Craft. The drive means 662 may further include aremotely-mounted computer control system (not shown) for controlling thevertical displacement of lift frame 612 through appropriate controlcommands to motor 682.

In the preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, one elongateflexible member 620 is nonslippingly engaged with the capstan 664 sothat the member 620 is driven by the drive means 662. Member 620 may beconnected to the capstan 664 in any conventional manner. For example, amember 620 that is comprised of a cable could be provided withball-shaped ends which could each be fitted into corresponding holes or“keys” in the capstan and thus held in place. A member 620 that iscomprised of an endless belt could be wrapped around the capstan 664 andheld in nonslipping engagement with the capstan 664 by frictional force.

The elongate flexible members 616, 618, and 620 may be retained togetherat one or more points in any conventional manner, such as by one or morecouplers (only one shown) or the like, which allows the elongateflexible members 616, 618 to be driven with and at the same rate asmember 620. As previously described, elongate flexible members 616, 618,and 620 are fixedly connected to lift frame 612 at points 622, 624, and626, respectively. Therefore, when the elongate flexible members 616,618, and 620 are driven, points 622, 624, and 626 of lift frame 612 aredisplaced at the same rate and 110 thus maintain lift frame 612 at afixed orientation relative to its displacement path VV. In other words,longitudinal and lateral axes AA, BB of lift frame 612 each remainoriented at fixed angles “a” and “b”, respectively, with the axis of thedisplacement path VV. The elongate flexible members 616, 618, and 620thus act to support and maintain the stability of lift frame 612 as wellas to linearly displace it.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, lift assembly 600 may further comprise guidemeans 800 for preventing transverse and/or rotational displacement oflift frame 612. Guide means 800 is best shown in FIG. 8, which is a topplan view taken at Section 4—4 of FIG. 6, with portions thereof,including the elongate flexible member means 614, removed for clarity,and with lift frame 612 shown in phantom. As illustrated in FIG. 8,guide means 800 may include one or more, and preferably two, guide postswhich are substantially U-shaped in cross-section and which may becomprised of vertical beams 608, 610. Each of the vertical beams 608,610 has two edge portions 802, 804 and 806, 808, respectively.

The guide means 800 may also include a plurality of bearing members 810,812, 814 (shown in phantom). The bearing members 810, 812, and 814 arepreferably comprised of bushing members which are also substantiallyU-shaped in cross-section and which are mounted on lift frame 612.However, the bearing members 810, 812, and 814 may also be comprised ofrollers (not shown) or other substantially nonfrictional sliding orrolling components.

As shown in FIG. 8, the bearings 810, 812, and 814 are preferablycomprised of a first bushing member 810 having a first interior portion816, a second bushing member 812 oriented perpendicularly to the firstbushing member 810 and having a second interior portion 818, and a thirdbushing member 814 oriented 180 degrees to the first bushing member 810and having a third interior portion 820.

Referring to both FIGS. 6 and 8, as lift frame 612 is displaced alongits vertical displacement path VV, the first interior portion 816 of thefirst bushing member 810 is substantially nonfrictionally, slidinglyengaged with the edge portion of vertical beam 608, the second interiorportion 818 of the second bushing member 812 is substantiallynonfrictionally, slidingly engaged with the edge portion of verticalbeam 608, and the third interior portion 820 of the third bushing member812 is substantially nonfrictionally, slidingly engaged with the edgeportion of vertical beam 608. This sliding engagement and the relativeorientation of the bushing members 810, 812, and 814 as shown in FIG. 8and described above prevents transverse displacement (e.g. displacementalong axis AA or BB, FIG. 6) of lift frame 612 and media handling system200, and also prevents rotational displacement (e.g. displacement aroundaxis VV, FIG. 6, or an axis parallel thereto) of the lift frame 612 andmedia handling system 200.

Since the stability of lift frame 612 is maintained by the elongateflexible members 616, 618, and 620 as described above, guide means 800is not subject to any significant load during displacement of lift frame612. Specifically, during intended operation, no large lateral orlongitudinal load is applied to lift frame 612 that would be ofsufficient magnitude to substantially strain the cable means. Thus,guide means 800 requires less precision and less rigidity thanconventionally-used rails or guides such as those used withsingle-point-support components such as leadscrews. Therefore, therelative mass of the guide means 800 to lift frame 612 may be very low,and the guide means 800 may be constructed from lightweight materials.As previously noted, in the preferred embodiment, the vertical beams 608and 610 may be constructed from a high-strength, yet lightweight,material such as thin steel, aluminum, or any other desirable material.The bushing members 810, 812, and 814 may be constructed from plastic orany other material.

FIG. 9 illustrates another possible embodiment of a lift assembly 900.Lift assembly 900 may comprise a rack and pinion drive system comprisinga lift frame 612, a pair of fixed lift racks 902 and 904, lift bearingmember 906 having a drive gear 908 and pinion gears 910 and 912, and adrive actuator 914.

Lift racks 902 and 904 may comprise vertical support members configuredfor engaging pinion gears 910 and 912. Lift racks 902 and 904 may bepositioned vertically at any two points adjacent lift frame 612.Although lift racks 902 and 904 may be positioned in a number of ways,as illustrated in FIG. 9, it may be advantageous to position lift racks902 and 904 vertically adjacent lift frame 612 at points such that theload associated with lift frame 612 and media handling system 200 isequally balanced between the two points. By way of example, asillustrated in FIG. 9, where lift frame 612 is substantiallyrectangular, lift racks 902 and 904 may be positioned at points along adiagonal defined by lift frame 612. This symmetrical configuration willminimize the forces exerted on lift assembly 900 during operation. Forinstance, if lift racks 902 and 904 are positioned along the same sideof lift frame 612, the unbalanced load between the two points may exerttoo much force on lift assembly 900. As one of ordinary skill willappreciate, lift assembly 900 may further include additional verticalracks to ensure the stability of lift assembly 900. Furthermore,depending on the precise configuration of lift frame 612, lift racks 902and 904 may be positioned adjacent lift frame 612 as desired.

Lift bearing member 906 may comprise a support member secured to liftframe 612. Drive gear 908 and pinion gears 910 and 912 may be secured tolift bearing member 906 in such a way that the rotation of drive gear908 causes pinion gears 910 and 912 to also rotate.

Lift frame 612 and media handling system 200 may be moved verticallyalong lift racks 908 and 910 by drive actuator 914 engaged with drivegear 908. For example, a desired data medium 102 may be stored in one ofmedia storage devices 106 stacked vertically in data storage system 100.Upon receiving a request for the data medium 102 from the host computersystem, the control system operates lift assembly 900 to move mediahandling system 200 vertically along lift racks 902 and 904 until it ispositioned adjacent the selected data medium 102 in media storage device106. Referring to FIG. 9, drive actuator 914 engages drive gear 908 suchthat it rotates in the desired direction for moving media handlingsystem 200 either up or down. As drive gear 908 rotates, pinion gears910 and 912 attached to lift bearing member 906 also rotate and engagelift racks 904 and 902, thereby moving lift frame 612 and media handlingsystem 200 along lift racks 904 and 902. After media handling system 200is in the proper vertical position adjacent the desired data medium 102,position system 400 controls the movement of data medium access device216 as described above.

As stated above, regardless the precise configuration of lift assembly600 and 900, media handling system 200 is preferably removably securedto lift frame 612 so that media handling system 200 may be easilydetached from lift frame 612 and removed from data storage system 100via handling system access panel 112. As illustrated in FIG. 10, frameassembly 214 of media handling system 200 may be removably secured tolift frame 612 of lift assembly 600 and 900. Lift frame 612 and frameassembly 214 may be removably secured in numerous ways. For example, inone of a number of embodiments, lift frame 612 may be configured withsimilar dimensions except with lift frame 612 having a slightly largercross-sectional area so that frame assembly 214 easily slides in and outof lift frame 612.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 41-43, another embodiment for removablyattaching lift frame 612 and frame assembly 214 will be described. FIGS.41-43 are top, front, and side views, respectively, which illustrateframe assembly 214 removably attached to lift frame 612. As bestillustrated in FIG. 42, frame assembly 214 may include one or more guideslots 4200 affixed to frame assembly 214.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 42, frame assembly 214 comprisesthree guide members 4200. A first guide member 4200 may extend upwardfrom top plate 404 (FIG. 4) of frame assembly 214. The first guidemember 4200 may be positioned anywhere on top plate 404, but in FIG. 42it is shown being located substantially in the middle of top plate 404.Furthermore, the first guide member 4200 located on top plate 404 may beelongate and extend substantially from front side portion 412 to backside portion 414. Second and third guide members 4200 may extendlaterally away from the portion of lower plate 402 facing lateral sideportions 408 and 410. The second and third guide members 4200 may alsobe elongate and extend from front side portion 412 to back side portion414. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various otherconfigurations and combinations of locations exist for guide members4200. For example, any number of guide slots 4200 may be implemented.Furthermore, the first guide slot 4200 may be located on lower plate402, while the second and third slots 4200 may be located on top plate404.

As best illustrated in FIG. 42, lift frame 612 may include one or morelift frame guide members 4202 affixed to lift frame 612. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 42, lift frame 612 comprises three liftframe guide members 4202. First and second lift frame guide members 4202may extend from opposing lateral side portions of lift frame 612. Firstand second lift frame guide members 4202 should be positioned on liftframe 612 and configured such that each engages with one of the guidemembers 4200 facing lateral side portions 408 and 410 when frameassembly 214 is installed in lift frame 612. In this manner, lift frameguide members 4202 and 4200 may be used to facilitate the insertion andremoval of frame assembly 214 from lift frame 612, as well as providesupport when frame assembly 214 is installed in lift frame 612.

A third lift frame guide member 4202 may extend downward from a topportion of lift frame 612. The third lift frame guide member 4202 shouldbe positioned on lift frame 612 and configured such that it engages withthe guide member 4200 positioned on top plate 404. As shown in FIG. 42,the third lift frame guide member 4202 may comprise two opposing liftframe guide members 4200 in spaced-apart relation such that the guidemember 4200 extending from top plate 404 may be positioned between theopposing guide members 4200 when frame assembly 214 is installed in liftframe 612. Again, the guide members 4202 and 4200 may be used tofacilitate the insertion and removal of frame assembly 214 from liftframe 612, as well as provide support when frame assembly 214 isinstalled in lift frame 612.

As best illustrated in FIG. 42, lift frame 612 may also include one ormore frame assembly retention springs 4104 affixed to lift frame 612.Frame assembly retention springs 4104 may be configured to engage frameassembly 214 when frame assembly 214 is installed in lift frame 612.Furthermore, frame assembly retention springs 4104 provide a forceagainst frame assembly 214 to prevent frame assembly 214 from losingengagement with lift frame 612 and thereby retaining frame assembly 214within lift frame 612. The embodiment shown in FIG. 42 illustrates thatframe assembly retention springs 4104 may be configured with an elongateportion and a triangle-shaped portion latch portion. Frame assemblyretention spring 4104 may be affixed to lift frame 612 at one end of theelongate portion. The triangle-shaped portion may be attached to theelongate portion such that the angled portion faces a front portion oflift frame 612. As described below, when frame assembly 214 is insertedwithin lift frame 612, the back portion 414 of frame assembly 214deflects frame assembly retention spring 4104. When frame assembly 214is positioned properly within lift frame 612, frame assembly retentionspring 4104 may return to an initial position in which the straight sideof the triangle-shaped portion engages the front portion 412 of frameassembly 214, thereby securing frame assembly 214 within lift frame 612.

In order to provide power to media handling system 200 contained withinframe assembly 214, lift frame 612 may include an electrical connector4100 and frame assembly 214 may include a mating connector 4102. Whenframe assembly 214 is installed within lift frame 612, mating connector4102 and electrical connector 4100 may be connected in order to providepower and various control signals to media handling system 200.Electrical connector 4100 may communicate with a power supply and/orcontrol system associated with the data storage system 100 by any knownmeans. Although communication may be via wireless means, the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 41-43 illustrates that electrical connector 4100may be connected to the power supply and/or control system via anumbilical cable 4204.

In operation, frame assembly 214 may be installed in the lift frame 612through and opening in the front of the lift frame 614. Accordingly, thelift frame 614 may comprise a box frame configured with five-sides suchthat each side has an opening adapted to enable the data medium accessdevice 216 (FIG. 5) contained within the frame assembly 214 to access,during operation of data storage system 100, the data media 102positioned around frame assembly 214. The frame assembly 214 may beguided into the lift frame 612 by lift frame guide members 4202 andguide members 4200. Guide members 4200 on the frame assembly 214 engagelift frame guide members 4202 and align the frame assembly 214 to thelift frame 612. The frame assembly retention springs 4104 are configuredto secure the frame assembly 214 in the lift frame 612. In order toremove the frame assembly 214 from the lift frame 612, the frameassembly retention springs may be deflected, thereby allowing the frameassembly 214 to be removed from the lift frame 612 in the mannerdescribed above.

As stated above, there are various other embodiments for aligning andretaining the frame assembly 214 within the lift frame 612. For example,other methods of aligning and retaining the frame assembly 214 withinthe lift frame 612 may include capture plates that may be installedafter engaging the frame assembly in the lift frame 612. Such plates maybe fastened to the lift frame 612 by any standard type of mechanicalfastener or other means that permits easy removal of the capture plateand thus easy removal of the frame assembly 214 from the lift frame 612.Several other methods exist for guiding and aligning the frame assembly214 within lift frame 612. For instance, such methods may include guidepins, plastic guide rails, machined ways and precision ground shafting.

Again, the precise manner in which lift frame 612 and frame assembly 214are removably attached is not critical. Rather, as illustrated in FIG.11, because lift frame 612 and frame assembly 216 are removablyattached, media handling system 200 may be easily detached from liftframe 612 and removed from data storage system 100 via handling systemaccess panel 112. As stated above, in data storage systems that employmedia handling system 200 and a lift assembly, such as lift assembly 600or 900, it is desirable to have convenient access to media handlingsystem 200 and data medium access device 216 for situations in whichrepair and/or replacement are needed. Because of its complex nature andprecision requirements, media handling system 200 may have a much higherfailure rate than other components of data storage system 100. Thus, itmay be desirable to have easy access to media handling system 200 forservice and/or maintenance. By removably securing lift frame 612 andframe assembly 214, an operator and/or service personnel may easilyaccess and remove media handling system 200 from data storage system 100without having to also remove the lift assembly.

For example, in situations where media handling system 200 is to beremoved from data storage system 100, such as where media handlingsystem 200 malfunctions and requires repair and/or replacement and wheremaintenance is required, an operator and/or service personnel may removehandling system access panel 112 from data storage system 100. Inalternative embodiments, handling system access panel 112 may beconfigured as a panel door that hinges to provide access to mediahandling system 200.

After handling system access panel 112 is removed (or opened whereconfigured as a door), the operator or service personnel may easilydetach frame assembly 214 from lift frame 612, thereby removing mediahandling system 200 from data storage system 100. Once media handlingsystem 200 is removed, the operator or service personnel may repair thedevice and/or perform required maintenance. Then, media handling system200 (or a replacement) may be inserted back in data storage system 100by removably attaching frame assembly 214 to lift frame 612.

III. Data Media Exchange Apparatus

As stated above, data media 102 may be stored within data storage system100 in media storage devices 106. FIGS. 1 and 2 described aboveillustrate a data media exchange apparatus 120 in which media storagedevices 106 may be implemented. Data media exchange apparatus 120 allowsat least one data medium 102 to be accessed by an operator or servicepersonnel. The operator or service personnel may use data media exchangeapparatus 120 to access any of the data media 102 stored therein. Forexample, the operator or service personnel may use data media exchangeapparatus 120 to withdraw a certain data medium 102 and replace it witha substitute data medium 102. In this manner, data media exchangeapparatus 120 provides a convenient way to deposit and withdraw selecteddata media 102 to and from data storage system 100.

Obviously, data storage system 100 may be provided with any number ofdata media exchange apparatus 120. For instance, data storage system 100illustrated in FIG. 11 includes two data media exchange apparatus 120,one which is closed and the other which is open. However, as statedabove and illustrated in FIG. 3, data storage system 100 may beconfigured with multiple data exchange apparatus 120 that are arrangedin a plurality of vertical stacks 300. With this in mind, and for thesake of simplicity, the remaining description will be directed at asingle data exchange apparatus 120.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, in one of many possible embodiments, datamedia exchange apparatus 120 may comprise a drawer 114 mounted to datastorage system 100 such that drawer 114 may be moved between a retractedor closed position and an extended or open position, one or more mediastorage devices 106 for receiving one or more data media 102, and frontaccess panel 110. Drawer 114 may be configured to receive one or moredata media 102, which may be contained within one or more media storagedevices 106.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, one embodiment of drawer 114 may comprise astorage tray 1200 that may be mounted directly to a mounting system 1330in the manner that will be described in greater detail below. Storagetray 1200 may be configured to removably receive one or more mediastorage devices 106. Storage tray 1200 is illustrated in FIGS. 12-14 asreceiving two media storage devices 106. Media storage devices 106 maybe configured to receive one or more data medium 102. Media storagedevices 106 are illustrated in FIGS. 12-14 as configured to removablyreceive five data media 102. Storage tray 1200 may comprise a generallyrectangular member having a floor section 1302, a back section 1300, andopposed end walls 1202 and 1204. Storage tray 1200 may also be providedwith a center divider section 1304 located substantially between endwalls 1202 and 1204. Each end wall 1202 and 1204 may be provided with aspring member 1306 to urge media storage device 106 against centerdivider section 1304, although spring member 1306, or urging mediastorage device 106 against center divider section 1304, is not required.

Storage tray 1200 may be made from any of a wide range of desirablematerials, such as metals or plastics, suitable for the intendedapplication. By way of example, in one of many possible embodiments,storage tray 1200 is molded as a single piece from a fiber reinforcedpolycarbonate plastic material. Media storage device 106 may also bemade from any of a wide range of desirable materials, depending on therequirements of the particular application. For instance, media storagedevices 106 may be molded from a fiber reinforced polycarbonate plasticmaterial.

Drawer 114 may also be provided with a front access panel 110, or bezel(FIGS. 1 & 2) that may be attached directly to a guide rail 1332 asdescribed in detail below. In alternative configurations, front accesspanel 110 may be attached to storage tray 1200 or may even comprise anintegral portion of storage tray 1200. Front access panel 110 forms apart of front access panel 110 of the data storage system 100 whendrawer 114 is in the retracted position. Front access panel 110 alsoprovides a convenient means to allow the system operator or servicepersonnel to pull drawer 114 open.

Drawer 114 may be mounted to data storage system 100 by a mountingsystem 1330. Referring now to FIGS. 15-20, mounting system 1330 maycomprise three guide rails 1400, 1308, and 1332, which are configured tobe mounted in sliding engagement with one another so as to allow drawer114 to be moved between the extended and retracted positions asdescribed above. Guide rails 1400, 1308, and 1332 each may comprise oneof two configurations: a first configuration (illustrated in FIGS. 16and 18) and a second configuration (illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 19).More specifically, guide rails 1400 and 1332 may comprise the firstconfiguration, whereas guide rail 1308 may comprise the secondconfiguration. Accordingly, only two guide rail configurations arepreferably employed, even though mounting system 1330 implements threeseparate guide rails 1400, 1308, and 1332.

Guide rails 1400 and 1332 having the first configuration are bestillustrated in FIGS. 16 and 18. Guide rails 1400 and 1332 may beidentical to one another in all respects. Each guide rail 1400 and 1332may comprise an elongate member having a back portion 1600 from whichextend a pair of flanges 1602 and 1604. A first bearing track 1606extends generally outwardly from flange 1602 and, together with flange1602 and elongate member 1600, defines a first channel 1800. Similarly,a second bearing track 1608 extends generally outwardly from the flange1604 and, together with flange 1604 and elongate member 1600, defines asecond channel 1802. Bearing tracks 1606 and 1608 are substantiallyparallel to elongate member 1600 as illustrated in FIG. 18. A pair ofU-shaped bearing members 1610 may be provided within channels 1800 and1802 at substantially a proximal end 1612 of each guide rail 1400 and1332 (FIG. 16).

The guide rail having the second configuration, for example guide rail1308, is best illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 19. Guide rail 1308 maycomprise a cross-section generally in the form of a Roman numeral II.Guide rail 1308 having the second configuration may comprise a pair ofelongate bearing guide members 1700 and 1900, which are held insubstantially parallel, spaced-apart relation by a pair of flangemembers 1902 and 1904. The portions of first bearing guide member 1700that are outboard of the flanges 1902 and 1904 form bearing tracks 1906and 1908. Similarly, the portions of second bearing guide member 1900that are outboard of the flanges 1902 and 1904 form bearing tracks 1910and 1912. Guide members 1700 and 1900, together with first and secondflanges 1902 and 1904, define respective first and second channels 1914and 1916.

Bearing guide members 1700 and 1900 of guide rail 1308 having the secondconfiguration also may be provided with a plurality of U-shaped bearingmembers 1610 located substantially in the positions shown in FIG. 17.More specifically, four bearings 1610 may be affixed to lower bearingtracks 1910 and 1912, two bearings 1610 at about the proximal end 1710of guide rail 1308 and two bearings 1610 at about the center region 1712of guide rail 1308. Similarly, four bearings 1610 may be affixed toupper bearing tracks 1906 and 1908: two bearings 1610 at about thecenter region 1712 and two bearings 1610 at about the distal end 1714 ofguide rail 1308.

Guide rails 1400, 1308, and 1332 may be made from any of a wide range ofmaterials (such as metals or plastics) suitable for the intendedapplication. Thus, the present invention should not be regarded aslimited to guide rails being fabricated from any particular material.Nonetheless, in one of many possible embodiments, guide rails 1400,1308, and 1332 are formed from extruded aluminum. Bearing members 1610may also be made from a wide range of materials suitable for providing alow friction sliding engagement with guide rails 1400, 1308, and 1332.For example, in one possible embodiment each bearing member 1610 ismolded as a single piece from polythalamide plastic. In otherembodiments, other types of bearings, such as wheels or rollers, couldbe substituted for sliding bearings 1610.

Guide rails 1400, 1308, and 1332 may be slidably engaged with oneanother as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 20. Channels 1800 and 1802 of theguide rails, for example guide rails 1400 and 1332, having the firstconfiguration receive U-shaped bearing members 1610 mounted to bearingguide members 1700 and 1900 of the guide rail, for example guide rail1308, having the second configuration. (Similarly, U-shaped bearings1610 located in channels 1800 and 1802 of guide rails 1400 and 1332having the first configuration engage the bearing guide members 1700 and1900 of guide rail 1308 having the second configuration.)

The locations of U-shaped bearings 1610 on the various guide rails aresuch that U-shaped bearings 1610 located in channels 1800 and 1802 ofguide rails 1400 and 1332 will come into abutting contact with U-shapedbearings 1610 affixed to the bearing guide members 1700 and 1900 ofguide rail 1308 when the guide rails 1400, 1308, and 1332 are in thefully extended position illustrated in FIG. 15. More specifically,bearings 1610 located on lower guide rail 1400 will come into abuttingcontact with bearings 1610 on lower bearing tracks 1910 and 1912 thatare located in center region 1712 of guide rail 1308. Similarly,bearings 1610 located on upper guide rail 1332 will come into abuttingcontact with bearings 1610 on upper bearing tracks 1906 and 1908 thatare located in center region 1712 of guide rail 1308. This configurationmay prevent the operator or service personnel from inadvertently pullingdrawer 114 beyond the extended position and thereafter possibly pullingapart or separating guide rails 1400, 1308, and 1332.

Referring again to FIG. 15, guide rails 1400 and 1332 having the firstconfiguration may be provided with one or more mounting holes or slots1500 to allow the guide rails to be mounted to housing 104 of datastorage system 100 and to allow storage tray 1200 to be mounted to theguide rail. For example, in one of many possible embodiments, guide rail1400 is mounted directly to housing 104 (FIG. 14) of data storage system100 by a plurality of screws (not shown). Similarly, storage tray 1200may also be mounted directly to guide rail 1332 by a plurality of screws(not shown). In alternative embodiments, other types of fasteners nowknown in the art or that may be developed in the future may be used tomount guide rail 1400 to housing 104 and to mount storage tray 1200 toguide rail 1332.

IV. Automated Media Exchange System

As understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the variousembodiments of data media exchange apparatus 120 may be mounted directlyto data storage system 100 in a variety of ways. For example, asdescribed above in detail with respect to FIGS. 15-20, data mediaexchange apparatus 120 may be mounted directly to mounting system 1330.In this embodiment, mounting system 1330 enables an operator or servicepersonnel to manually extend and/or retract data media exchangeapparatus 120. Various other systems and methods exist for enabling thedata media exchange apparatus 120 to extend and/or retract as describedabove. In one of many possible embodiments, an automated media exchangesystem 3100 (FIGS. 31-32) may be provided in conjunction with mountingsystem 1300 and data media exchange apparatus 120. Automated mediaexchange system 3100 enables an operator to automatically control theoperation of data media exchange apparatus 120. In other words,automated media exchange system 3100 enables an operator toautomatically control how far media exchange apparatus 120 is retractedand/or extended from data storage system 100. In this manner, anoperator may designate a particular data medium 102 located in aparticular data media exchange apparatus 120. Based on the particulardata medium 102 designated, automated media exchange system 3100 mayautomatically extend the particular data media exchange apparatus 120 anappropriate distance so that the operator may access the particular datamedium 102. Automated media exchange system 3100 may also enable theoperator to control, for example, via a control panel, how far to extendand/or retract data media exchange apparatus 3100.

Automated media exchange system 3100 may include a drive system 3102, anelongate drive member 3112 engaged by drive system 3102, and a mountingsystem, such as mounting system 1330. One of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that various mounting systems may be employed byautomated media exchange system 3100. As described above in detail,mounting system 1300 may comprise three guide rails 1400, 1308, and1332, which are configured to be mounted in sliding engagement with oneanother so as to allow drawer 114 to be moved between the extended andretracted positions as described above. Referring to FIG. 31, in one ofmany possible embodiments, guide rail 1400 may be mounted directly tohousing 104 (FIG. 14) of data storage system 100 by a plurality ofscrews (not shown).

Drive system 3102 may comprise a motor (not shown), a drive gear 3106engaged by the motor, the elongate drive member 3112, and a housing 3104for containing the motor, the drive gear 3106, and a portion of theelongate drive member 3112. Elongate drive member 3112 may comprise afirst end 3120, a second end 3122, a top portion 3124, and a bottomportion 3126. First end 3120 may be fixedly attached to guide rail 1308at point 3110. Second end 3122 maybe contained within housing 3104. Thetop portion 3124 of elongate drive member 3112 may be a gear rack 3108that may be engaged by drive gear 3106. One of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that there are various configurations for drive gear3106 and gear rack 3108. For example, drive gear 3106 and gear rack 3108each may be configured with teeth, such that the teeth of drive gear3106 and the teeth of gear rack 3108 mesh together so that as drive gear3106 rotates in one direction, elongate drive member 3112 is coiledwithin housing 3104, and as drive gear 3106 rotates in anotherdirection, elongate member 3112 is uncoiled within housing 3104. Becauseelongate drive member 3112 is fixedly attached to guide rail 1308, whenthe drive gear 3106 uncoils the elongate drive member 3112, guide rail1308 is extended from data storage system 100. Depending on how muchdrive gear 3106 uncoils the elongate member 3112, guide rail 1332 mayalso become extended because of the interaction of guide rails 1308,1332, and 1400 as described above. When the drive gear 3106 coils theelongate drive member 3112, guide rail 1308 (and when necessary guiderail 1332) is retracted into data storage system 100. Obviously, drivegear 3106 and elongate drive member 3112 may be configured in such a waythat the bottom portion 3124 includes the gear rack 3108. Furthermore,drive gear 3106 and gear rack 3108 need not be configured with teeth.Drive gear 3106 engages elongate drive member 3112 and coils or uncoils(depending on the rotation of drive gear 3106), thereby retracting orextending data media exchange apparatus 120 mounted to guide rail 1308.

Referring to FIGS. 13, 14, and 21, data cartridge exchange apparatus 120may further comprise a media storage device alignment apparatus 1314 toprovide more precise positioning of media storage devices 106 whendrawer 114 is in the fully retracted position. Media storage devicealignment apparatus 1314 may comprise a pair of elongate reference rails1316 and 1312, which are mounted in spaced-apart relation to housing 104of data storage system 100 as best illustrated in FIG. 14. Each mediastorage device 106 may be provided with first and second elongate slots1320 and 1322, which are sized to slidably engage respective elongatereference rails 1316 and 1312 when drawer 114 is moved to the retractedposition. The engagement of elongate reference rails 1316 and 1312 withrespective slots 1320 and 1322 in media storage devices 106 slightlylifts media storage devices 106 from drawer 114 and holds each mediastorage device 106 in a registration position 2104, as best illustratedin FIG. 21. Consequently, when drawer 114 is fully retracted, thepositions of media storage devices 106 may be determined by mediastorage device alignment apparatus 1314 and not by drawer 114.

Media storage device alignment apparatus 1314 more accurately positionsmedia cartridge devices 106 than would be possible if media storagedevices 106 were to remain seated in storage tray 1200 of drawer 114.The more accurate positioning provided by media storage device alignmentapparatus 1314 substantially improves the likelihood that media handlingsystem 200 will be capable of properly engaging the selected data medium102. This configuration also dispenses with the need to provide a highprecision drawer mounting system. In other words, since media storagedevices 106 are not held in position by drawer 114, drawer 114 need notbe designed to return media storage devices 106 to their exact locationseach time drawer 114 is closed.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, in additional embodiments, data cartridgeexchange apparatus 120 may comprise a drawer lock apparatus 2200 to holddrawer 114 in the fully retracted position. Drawer lock apparatus 2200may comprise a lock actuator 2202 for moving a lock bolt or plunger 2204between a locked position 2206 and an unlocked position 2208. A spring(not shown) may be used to bias lock bolt 2204 in a unlocked position2208. Lock bolt 2204 may be sized to engage at least one of a pluralityof apertures 2210 provided in a lock plate 2212 affixed to drawer 114. Alimit switch 2214 may be mounted to housing 104 of data storage system100 and may provide a signal to a lock control system 2216 when drawer114 is in the fully closed or retracted position.

Lock plate 2212 may comprise an integral portion of storage tray 1200.However, since storage tray 1200 is designed to be utilized in either aright-hand drawer 114 (FIG. 14) or a left-hand drawer 114′ (FIG. 14),storage tray 1200 is provided with two lock plates 2212 and 2212′, onelocated at either end of storage tray 1200 (FIG. 14). This configurationallows a single storage tray 1200 to be used in either a right-hand or aleft-hand drawer 114 by simply turning storage tray 1200 180°.Furthermore, lock actuator 2202 may not be located along the centerlineof the guide rail 1332, but instead displaced slightly to one side.Accordingly, lock plate 2212 may be provided with two apertures 2210,which again allows the same storage tray 1200 and lock plate 2212 to beused in either a right-hand or left-hand configuration.

The various components of drawer lock apparatus 2200 may comprise any ofa wide range of devices and systems well-known in the art and that arecommercially available. For example, lock actuator 2202 may comprise anelectrically operated solenoid having a plunger 2204 sized to engage atleast one of the holes 2210 provided in lock plate 2212. Lock actuator2202 may be biased in unlocked position 2208 by a suitable spring (notshown). Thus, when the solenoid is energized, it will move lock bolt2204 to locked position 2206. Obviously, one of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that various other types of components and operatingarrangements could also be used.

Data cartridge exchange apparatus 120 may be operated as follows toallow an operator or service personnel to access the various media 102contained within data storage system 100. Consider, for example, asituation in which data storage system 100 has been provided with aplurality of data media 102. During normal operation, drawer 114 mayremain in the closed or retracted position shown, thereby allowing mediahandling system 200 (FIGS. 2 and 4) to access all of data media 102contained in data storage system 100. If the need arises for theoperator or service personnel to access one or more of data media 102,to remove, for example, one or more of data media 102 and replace it, orthem, with a substitute data media 102, the operator or servicepersonnel may pull on the front access panel 110 of drawer 114, therebymoving drawer 114 to the extended position. Where data storage system100 includes automated media exchange system 3100, the operator orservice personnel may automatically control the extension and/orretraction of drawer 114 via a control panel and/or a host computer. Theoperator or service personnel may input a particular data medium 102 ina particular data media exchange apparatus 120 that needs to beaccessed. Data storage system 100 may include logic which contains theprecise location of each data medium 102 within the drawer 114 and apredefined distance in which the drawer 114 is to be extended in orderto enable the operator or service personnel to access the data medium102. Thus, based on the particular data medium 102 selected by theoperator or service personnel and the predefined logic, a control system(not shown) may control the motor to engage the drive gear 3106 untilelongate drive member 3112 is uncoiled such that guide rail 1308 (and,as necessary, guide rails 1332 and 1400) extends drawer 114 to thepredefined distance. The operator or service personnel may alsoautomatically control the extension and/retraction of the drawer 114 bycontrolling the motor and drive gear 3106.

If data media exchange apparatus 120 is provided with a drawer lockapparatus 2200, the lock control system 2216 first would actuate thelock actuator 2202 to move the lock bolt or plunger 2204 to the unlockedposition 2208, thereby allowing media handling system 200 (FIGS. 2 and4) to access all of data media 102 in drawer 114. The lock controlsystem 2216 could be engaged by a signal from a control system (notshown), or by the operator or service personnel via a control panel (notshown). Once drawer 114 has been opened or extended, the operator orservice personnel may thereafter access the exposed data media 102 forthe exchange, removal, or replacement of data media 102. While drawer114 is in the extended position, data storage system 100 may remainoperable and media handling system 200 may continue to access data media102 stored in other media storage devices 106. When the operator orservice personnel no longer needs access to the exposed data media 102,the front access panel 110 of drawer 114 may be pushed, therebyreturning drawer 114 to the retracted position. As drawer 114 is movedto the retracted position, elongate reference rails 1316 and 1312 mayengage respective slots 1320 and 1322 on media storage devices 106. Whenfully engaged with slots 1320 and 1322, reference rails 1316 and 1312slightly lift media storage devices 106 from drawer 114 and hold eachmedia storage device 106 in registration position 2104 shown in FIG. 21.

After drawer 114 has been returned to the retracted position, themagazine sensor switch is tripped triggering the data storage system 100to command the lock control system 2216 to operate drawer lock apparatus2200 to lock drawer 114 in the closed or retracted position. Thereafter,data storage system 100 may “re-inventory” data media 102 containedwithin data storage system 100. In this example, data storage system 100need only re-inventory data media 102 contained in drawer 114 sincethose were the only data media 102 that could have been exchanged,removed, or replaced by the operator or service personnel.

If data media exchange apparatus 120 is configured so that the variousdata media 102 carried by drawer 114 are contained within one or moremedia storage devices 106, then data media exchange apparatus 120 willallow an entire media storage device to be removed and replaced. Forexample, where drawer 114 is configured to receive two media storagedevices 106, each of which is configured to receive five data media 102,then an entire media storage device 106 may be removed by the operatoror service personnel, thereby allowing for the convenient exchange,removal, or replacement of the plurality of data media 102 containedwithin media storage device 106. Media storage device 106 may beprovided with a handle 30 to allow media storage device 106 to beconveniently carried by the operator or service personnel.

As illustrated best in FIGS. 1, 2 and 12, data media exchange apparatus120 includes an unused volume between end wall 1202 and front accesspanel 110, which data medium access device 216 of media handling system200 cannot access due to the thickness of housing 114 and front accesspanel 110. FIGS. 24-26 illustrate another embodiment of a data mediaexchange apparatus 2400 that may also be implemented within data storagesystem 1 00.

Data media exchange apparatus 2400 may be configured in much the samemanner as data media exchange apparatus 120. Data media exchangeapparatus 2400 may also be mounted directly to mounting system 1330 andoperated in the same manner described above with respect to data mediaexchange apparatus 120. However, data media exchange apparatus 2400further comprises a supplemental storage apparatus 2402 positionedbetween end wall 1202 and front access panel 110. Supplemental storageapparatus 2402 comprises a plurality of slots 2408 defined by one ormore slot members 2404 and a base member 2405. Base member 2405 extendsfrom front end wall 1202 to provide a base for supporting data media 102received in slots 2408. Slot members 2408 extend away from base member2405. As illustrated in FIG. 25, base member 2405 and one or more slotmembers 2408 provide one or more slots 2408 for receiving spare datamedium 2500. Slots 2408 and the data media 2500 contained therein willnot be accessible to media handling system 200 because of the thicknessof housing 104 and front access panel 110 and the configuration of mediahandling system 200.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the precise volumebetween end wall 1202 and front access panel 110 may vary depending on avariety of factors, such as the precise size and configuration of datamedia exchange apparatus 2400, data media 102, media storage devices106, and data storage system 100. Thus, the number of slots 2408 andslot members 2402 in supplemental storage apparatus 2402 may vary.Furthermore, the precise size and configuration of slots 2408 and slotmembers 2402 may also vary depending on the type of data media 2500being contained within storage slots 2408. For example, in one of themany possible embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 24-26, the volume betweenend wall 1202 and front access panel 110 enables supplemental storageapparatus 2402 of data media exchange apparatus 2400 to be configuredwith two slots 2408, each containing a data medium 2500. In thisexample, slot 2408 adjacent end wall 1202 may be defined by a slotmember 2404, base member 2405, and end wall 1202. Alternatively, slot2408 adjacent end wall 1202 may be defined by two slot members 2404.Similarly, slot 2408 adjacent front access panel 110 may be defined by aslot member 2404 and front access panel 110 or any other component ofdata exchange apparatus 2400. Alternatively, slot member 2408 adjacentfront access panel 1202 may be defined by two slot members 2404. Slot2408 adjacent end wall 1202 and slot 2408 adjacent front access panel110 may or may not be defined by a common slot member 2404. Furthermore,where supplemental storage apparatus 2402 comprises more than two slots2408, each pair of interior slots 2408 may or may not be defined by acommon slot member 2402.

Supplemental storage apparatus 2402 may be made from any of a wide rangeof desirable materials, such as metals or plastics, suitable for theintended application. In one of many possible embodiments, supplementalstorage apparatus 2402 may be molded as a single piece from a fiberreinforced polycarbonate plastic material. Supplemental storageapparatus 2402 may be formed as an integral part of storage tray 1200.In other embodiments, supplemental storage apparatus 2402 may be formedas a separate component from storage tray 1200, in which casesupplemental storage apparatus 2402 may be fixedly secured to storagetray 1200 or some other component of data media exchange apparatus 2400.

As stated above, data media exchange apparatus 2400, may be configuredand operated in much the same manner as data media exchange apparatus120. However, supplemental storage apparatus 2402 enables spare datamedium 2500 to be stored in data media exchange apparatus 2400 ratherthan being stored in some other location outside of data storage system100. Thus, supplemental storage apparatus 2402 provides an operator orservice personnel with quick access to spare data media 2500 that may beused to replace data media 102 contained in media storage devices 106without the burden of locating spare data media 2500 at some otherlocation.

V. Integrated Media Exchange/Storage Device

FIGS. 27-30 illustrate an integrated media exchange/storage device 2700configured to receive one or more data medium 102 and that may be easilyinserted and removed from data storage system 100 by an operator orservice personnel by slidably engaging the integrated mediaexchange/storage device 2700 with elongate reference rails 1316 and 1312(FIGS. 13 and 21).

Integrated media exchange/storage device 2700 may generally comprise: ahousing 2702 having end portions 2704 and 2706, top portion 2708, bottomportion 2710, and side portions 2712 and 2714; and one or more handles2716 attached to the housing 2702; one or more lock plates 2718 attachedto the housing 2702 and having at least one aperture 2720 therein. Sideportion 2712 comprises a plurality of slots 2722 configured forreceiving data media 102. Slots 2722 may be defined by a plurality ofspaced dividers 2724 within the housing 2702. Dividers 2724 may beparallel to end portions 2706 and 2704 and may have beveled edges thatserve to guide data media 102 into slots 2722. Slots 2722 may haveinclined surfaces on bottom portion 2710 that also serve to guide datamedia 102 into the slots 2722. As described in detail below, in order toslidably engage with elongate reference rails 1316 and 1312, the topportion 2708 of housing 2702 may include an elongate alignment groove2750, which engages with elongate reference rail 1316 (FIGS. 13 and 21),and the bottom portion 2710 may include an elongate alignment groove2752, which engages with elongate reference rail 1312 (FIGS. 13 and 21).

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the preciseconfiguration of integrated media exchange/storage device 2700 may varydepending on a variety of factors, such as the precise size andconfiguration of data media 102 and data storage system 100. Thus, thenumber of slots 2722 and dividers 2724 may vary. Furthermore, theprecise size and configuration of slots 2722 and slot members 2724 mayalso vary depending on the type of data media 102 being contained withinslots 2722. For example, in one of the many possible embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 27-29, integrated media exchange/storage device2700 includes ten slots 2722 for receiving data media 102. Furthermore,dividers 2724 need not extend the entire distance from top portion 2708to bottom portion 2710. Dividers 2724 are preferably configured to guidedata media 102 into slots 2722. For example, and not by way oflimitation, a divider 2724 may comprise two small divider portions, onewhich extends downward from top portion 2708 and one which extendsupward from bottom portion 2710. Divider 2724 may also comprise a singlepiece extending from bottom portion 2710, but not reaching top portion2708, or extending from top portion 2708, but not reaching bottomportion 2710, etc.

Integrated data media exchange 2700 may also include a spring mechanism2730 fixedly attached to top portion 2708 of housing 2702 for retainingdata media 102 positioned in slots 2722. Spring mechanism 2730 providesa force for securing data media 102 in slots 2722 in housing 2702. Topportion 2708 of the housing 2702 may have a plurality of devices thatare used to secure the spring mechanism 2730 to the housing 2702. Thetop portion 2708 may have a plurality of spring locks 2732. A springlock 2732 may have a left portion, a right portion, a top portion, andan opening. The left portion and the right portion may extend normal tothe top portion 2708 of the housing 2702. The top portion of the springlock 2732 may extend between the left portion and the right portion toform the opening. The spring locks 2732 may, for example, be integrallyformed into the top portion 2708 of the housing 2702. The top portion2708 of the housing 2702 may also have one or more spring guides 2734integrally formed into the top portion 2708. The spring guides 2734 mayserve to align the spring mechanism 2730 relative to the top portion2708 of the housing 2702 as described below.

As stated above, the spring mechanism 2730 may be attached to the topportion 2708 of the housing 2702. The spring mechanism 2730 may have amounting portion 2736 and a plurality of fingers 2738. A finger 2738 mayhave a front portion 2740, a back portion 2742, and mid-portion 2744.

In a preferred embodiment, the front portion 2740 may have a width ofapproximately 7 millimeters and the back portion 2742 a width ofapproximately 4 millimeters. Fingers 2738 may have a length ofapproximately 40 millimeters. The tapered shape of fingers 2738 allowsfor a greater deflection of the finger 2738 relative to a non-taperedfinger when the same stress is applied to both types of fingers.

The mounting portion 2746 may have a plurality of spring tabs (notshown) located opposite a front edge 2746 of spring mechanism 2730. Thefront edge 2746 may abut spring guides 2734. The spring guides 2734 maybe adapted to fit in the openings (not shown) of the spring locks 2732.The combination of the spring guides 2734 and the spring locks 2732allows the spring mechanism 2730 to be attached to the top portion 2708of the housing 2702 without the need of fasteners. They further properlyalign the spring mechanism 2730 relative to the housing 2702.

The spring mechanism 2730 may be made from, for example, a single sheetof 301 stainless steel that is approximately 0.635 millimeters thick.The use of stainless steel reduces the probability of the springmechanism 21300 corroding. The stiffness of the fingers 2738 may beselected by known mechanical techniques involving selecting the materialof the spring mechanism 2730, the thickness of the material, the widthsof the fingers 2738, and other factors that are known in the art.

As best illustrated in FIG. 30, the back portions 2742 of fingers 2738may include locking elements 3000. Locking elements 3000 may be affixedto the back portions 2742 of the fingers 2738. The locking elements 3000may serve to secure the data media in the housing 2702. FIG. 30illustrates a cross-sectional view of integrated data mediaexchange/storage device 2700 with a data medium 102 located in a slot2722. The locking element 3000 may, for example, be molded from nylon6-10 modified by the addition of carbon fiber and PTFE, which iscommercially available from the LNP Engineering Plastics Company ofExton, Pa. as product number QCL-4036. The locking element 3000 may beattached to the back portion 2742 of the finger 2738 by molding thelocking element 3000 onto the finger 2738.

The locking element 3000 may be generally triangle-shaped with a topportion 3002, a back portion 3004, and a front portion 3006. The backportion 3004 and the front portion 3006 may intersect at a point 3008. Areference line AA may extend parallel to the top portion 3002 and mayintersect the point 3008. A back angle 3010, for example, 55 degrees,may exist between the reference line AA and the back portion 3004. Afront angle 3012 may exist between the reference line AA and the frontportion 3006. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 30, the lockingelement 3000 may serve to secure data media 102 in slots 2722 ofintegrated data media exchange/storage device 2700.

As stated above, integrated data media exchange/storage device 2700 mayinclude a handle 2716 attached to the housing 2702. The handle 2716 maybe pivotally attached end portion 2704 and/or end portion 2706. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 27-30, integrated data mediaexchange/storage device 2700 is configured so that it may be used in adata storage system 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Thus, integrated data mediaexchange/storage device 2700 preferably includes a handle 2716 on bothend portions 2704 and 2706. In this manner, integrated data mediaexchange/storage device 2700 may be implemented with either the right orleft side of data storage system 100. This configuration enables themanufacture of a single symmetrical integrated data mediaexchange/storage device 2700.

As stated above, integrated media exchange/storage device 2700 may beeasily inserted and removed from data storage system 100 by an operatoror service personnel by slidably engaging the elongate alignment grooves2750 and 2752 with elongate reference rails 1316 and 1312 respectivelyas described above in detail with respect to FIGS. 13 and 21.

Integrated data media exchange/storage device 2700 may also have lockplates 2718 fixedly attached to end portion 2704 and/or end portion2706. Lock plates 2718 may be used in conjunction with the lockapparatus 2200 (FIG. 22) of data storage system 100. As described indetail above, the lock apparatus 2200 may comprise a lock actuator 2202for moving a plunger or lock bolt 2204 between a locked position 2206and an unlocked position 2208. The lock bolt 2204 is sized to engage anaperture 2720 provided in a lock plate 2718 on integrated data mediaexchange/storage device 2700. A limit switch 2214 mounted to the chassis1310 of data storage system 100 detects when integrated data mediaexchange/storage device 2700 is fully inserted in data storage system100. Limit switch 2214 maybe connected to the lock control system 2216which may be used to operate the lock actuator 2202 as described above.

Integrated data media exchange/storage device 2700 may be operated asfollows to allow an operator (not shown) to access the various datamedia 102 contained within an integrated data media exchange/storagedevice 2700 in data storage system 100. During normal operation of datastorage system 100, integrated data media exchange/storage device 2700may be slidably engaged within data storage system 100 by elongatealignment grooves 2750 and 2752 and elongate reference rails 1316 and1312. While integrated data media exchange/storage device 2700 isinserted within data storage system 100, media handling system 200(FIGS. 2 and 4) inside the data storage system 100 may access all of thedata media 100 contained within slots 2722. If the need then arises forthe operator to access one or more of the media 102, such as, forexample, to remove one or more of the data media 102 and replace it orthem with a substitute data medium 102 (not shown), the operator mayremove or open a front panel 110. Then, the operator may slideintegrated data media exchange/storage device 2700 from alignmentapparatus 1314 by pulling on the handle 2716. As the operator pulls onthe handle 2716, elongate alignment grooves 2750 and 2752 slide overelongate reference rails 1316 and 1312, thereby removing integrated datamedia exchange/storage device 2700. If data storage system 100 isprovided with a lock apparatus 1200, then the lock control system 2216would first have to be instructed to unlock integrated data mediaexchange/storage device 2700. The lock control system 2216 could beinstructed by the control system (not shown), or by the operator via acontrol panel 112.

Once integrated data media exchange/storage device 2700 has beenpartially extended or removed, the operator may access the exposed datamedia 102 for their exchange, removal, or replacement. While integrateddata media exchange/storage device 2700 is partially extended orremoved, the data storage system 100 may remain operable and the mediahandling system 200 may continue to access the data media 102 stored inother integrated data media exchange/storage devices 2700 and/or datamedia exchange apparatus 120 and 2400. However, the media handlingsystem 200 will not access the data media contained in the partiallyextended or removed integrated data media exchange/storage device 2700.

When the operator no longer needs access to the exposed data media 102,he or she may insert integrated data media exchange/storage device 2700into data storage system 100. Integrated data media exchange/storagedevice 2700 should be pushed into data storage system 100 so that theelongate reference rails 1316 and 1312 engage the respective elongatealignment grooves 2750 and 2752 in integrated data mediaexchange/storage device 2700. When fully engaged with the alignmentgrooves 2750 and 2752, the reference rails 1316 and 1312 slightly liftintegrated data media exchange/storage device 2700, thereby ensuringthat the media handling system 200 will be able to quickly locate thedesired data media 102 in slots 2722.

After integrated data media exchange/storage device 2700 has been fullyinserted, the lock control system 2216 (FIG. 22) may operate the lockapparatus 2200 to insert the lock bolt 2204 within the aperture 2720 inthe lock plate 2718. Thereafter, the data storage system 100 may“re-inventory” the data media 102 stored within the data storage system100. In this example, the data storage system 100 need only re-inventorythose data media 102 contained in integrated data media exchange/storagedevice 2700, since those were the only data media 102 that could havebeen exchanged, removed, or replaced by the operator.

VI. Bulk Data Media Access System

As stated above, media storage devices 106 and data media 102 may beimplemented in data storage system 100 in a variety of devices and in avariety of ways. For example, data media 102 may be implemented in amedia storage device 106, such as an integrated data mediaexchange/storage device 2700, that may be easily inserted and removedfrom data storage system 100. In this type of configuration, mediastorage device 106 may be inserted and removed in a sliding arrangement.Data media 102 may also be implemented in a media storage device 106having a drawer configuration, such as, for example, data media exchangeapparatus 120 and 2400. In the drawer configuration, each media storagedevice 106 may be accessed from a separate access means. For instance,consider a data storage system 100 that includes a plurality of datamedia exchange apparatus 120 and 2400, which may, for example, bearranged in a plurality of vertical stacks 300. In the drawerconfiguration, each data media exchange apparatus 120 and 2400 providesfor a separate means for accessing the device. Specifically, an operatormay access the data media 102 stored in a data media exchange apparatus120 or 2400 by extending and retracting the drawer 114. Thus, each datamedia exchange apparatus 120 and 2400 in data storage system 100 employsa separate access means and a separate locking means.

Referring to FIGS. 38-40, a bulk data media access system 3900 for adata storage system 100 will be described. Regardless the preciseconfiguration of media storage devices 106 and data storage system 100,bulk data media access system 3900 provides a single means for accessingthe plurality of media storage devices 106 arranged in the data storagesystem 100. In other words, bulk data media access system 3900 mayeliminate the need for providing a separate access means and a separatelocking means for each media storage device.

Bulk data media access system 3900 provides a bulk access apparatus 3902for accessing at least a portion of the plurality of media storagedevices 106 arranged in a contiguous manner. As illustrated in FIGS. 39and 40, in one of many possible embodiments, bulk access apparatus 3902may be configured to provide a single access means to a plurality ofmedia storage devices 106 arranged in a plurality of vertical stacks300. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that bulk accessapparatus 3902 may be configured in a variety of other ways. Forinstance, bulk access apparatus 3902 may be configured to provide asingle access means to a plurality of media storage devices arrangedhorizontally in a plurality of rows. The precise configuration of bulkaccess apparatus 3902 may be altered to correspond to any contiguousarrangement of media storage devices 106. The important aspect is thatbulk access apparatus 3902 enables an operator to access more than onemedia storage device 106 at a time.

Accordingly, bulk media access system 3900 may employ more than one bulkaccess apparatus 3902. In a preferred embodiment, bulk media accesssystem 3900 is implemented in a data storage system 100 in which mediastorage devices 106 are arranged in a plurality of vertical stacks 300as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 39, and 40. Within each stack 300, mediastorage devices 106 are arranged on opposite sides of media handlingsystem 200 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Accordingly, two groups ofcontiguous media storage devices 106 may be defined: one defined by thevertical arrangement of contiguous media storage devices 106 on one sideportion of data storage system 100 and the other defined by the verticalarrangement of contiguous media storage devices 106 on the other sideportion of data storage system 100. Thus, in this embodiment, bulk mediaaccess system 3900 preferably provides two bulk access apparatus 3902.

Furthermore, bulk access apparatus 3902 may be attached to data storagesystem 100 in a variety of ways for providing a single access means to aplurality of media storage devices 106. As illustrated in FIGS. 38-40,bulk access apparatus 3902 may be configured as a door that is hinged toa housing 104 of data storage system 100. Bulk access apparatus 3902 mayalso be configured as a removable panel that may be easily attached andremoved from housing 104 of data storage system 100. Bulk accessapparatus 3902 preferably provides a single access means to a pluralityof media storage devices 106 arranged in a contiguous manner.

As illustrated in FIG. 38, bulk access apparatus 3902 may furtherinclude a plurality of spring pads 3912 that are attached to the side ofbulk apparatus 3902 opposing media storage device 106. Each spring pad3912 is positioned opposite a corresponding media storage device 106.Spring pads 3912 may be configured as a foam panel, a passive springmechanism, or any other mechanism for providing a force against mediastorage device 106 when bulk apparatus 3902 is closed and/or attached todata storage system 100. In this manner, spring pads 3912 may hold mediastorage device 106 in a predefined position relative to the mediahandling system 200, thereby promoting effective operation of the datastorage system 100.

Bulk access apparatus 3902 may also include a locking mechanism 3904configured to lock the bulk access apparatus 3902 relative to thehousing of data storage system 100. In one of many possible embodiments,locking mechanism 3904 may comprise two systems for locking the bulkaccess apparatus 3902: a key lock mechanism and an electronic lockmechanism controlled by a control system associated with data storagesystem 100. Key lock mechanism may comprise a door key lock 3914attached to the bulk access apparatus 3902 and configured to engage akey lock latch (not shown) within data storage system 100. Key lock 3914and the key lock latch may provide a locked state, in which key lock3914 and the key lock latch are engaged, and an unlocked state, in whichkey lock 3914 and the key lock latch are not engaged.

Locking mechanism 3904 may also include an electronic lock mechanism foradditional security. The electronic lock mechanism may be configured towork in cooperation with a control system associated with data storagesystem 100. In one of many possible embodiments, the electronic lockmechanism may comprise an electro-mechanical device 3910, such as asolenoid, that is contained within data storage system 100 andcontrolled by the control system and a door latch 3906 secured to thebulk access apparatus. The electro-mechanical device 3910 and the doorlatch 3906 may provide a locked state, in which device 3910 and the doorlatch 3906 are engaged, and an unlocked state, in which device 3910 andthe door latch are not engaged.

In operation, locking mechanism 3904 may provide two levels of securityfor the data storage system 100. Thus, in order to access the mediastorage devices 106 associated with the bulk access apparatus 3902, anoperator or service personnel preferably unlocks both the electronicmechanism and the key lock mechanism. Using a key, the operator placesthe key lock 3914 and the key lock latch in the unlocked state. Inaddition, the operator preferably places the device 3910 and the doorlatch 3906 in the unlocked state. After both mechanisms are unlocked,the bulk access apparatus 3902 may be opened and access provided to theassociated media storage devices 106.

The electro-mechanical locking may used to meet safety requirementsdesigned to prevent users from obtaining access to functional areas ofdata storage system 100 when media handling system 200 is in operation.This prevents possible injury to users. It also allows the controlsystem associated with data storage system 100 to maintain control overthe timing of access to data media 102. Otherwise a user could remove orswitch locations of a data medium 102 that the data storage system 100was in the process of accessing. If the data storage system 100 couldnot find the data medium 102 in the expected location it would generatean error. The electro-mechanical lock must shut down or fail in an openstate (allowing access to data media 102). If it did not, the users datawould be trapped in the data storage system 100 during a power failureor mechanical failure. The key lock provides security from unauthorizedaccess to data media 102 in the event the power fails, or if the datastorage system 100 is powered down for other reasons.

VII. Spring Retention System

As stated above, integrated data media exchange/storage device 2700 mayinclude a spring mechanism 2730 fixedly attached to top portion 2714 ofhousing 2702 for retaining data media 102 positioned in slots 2722.Spring mechanism 2730 provides a force for securing data media 102 inslots 2722 in housing 2702. In the embodiment described above withrespect to FIGS. 27-30, the combination of the spring guides 2734 andthe spring locks 2732 allow the spring mechanism 2730 to be attached tothe top portion 2714 of the housing 2702 without the need of fasteners.They further properly align the spring mechanism 213000 relative to thehousing 2702.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various other waysexist for attaching spring mechanism 2730 to housing 2702, some of whichare described below. These systems and methods for attaching springmechanism 2730 to housing 2720 may be implemented in a variety ofdevices, such as, for example, integrated data media exchange/storagedevice 2700, media storage devices 106, or any other device for storingdata media 102, including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,205.

Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, a spring retention system 3400 forretaining data media 102 in a data media storage device will bedescribed. Spring retention system 3400 may be configured to operate inmuch the same manner as described above with respect to spring mechanism2730. Accordingly, spring retention system 3400 provides a springmechanism 3404 attached to one side, for example a top portion, of ahousing 3402 of any of a variety of media storage devices.

Spring mechanism 3404 provides a force for securing data media 102 inslots (not shown) within housing 3402. The top portion of the housing3402 may have a plurality of spring alignment members 3406 and one ormore spring retention elements 3418. The top portion of housing 3402 mayhave a plurality of spring alignment members 3406, each of which mayinclude a left portion, a right portion, a top portion, and an opening.The left portion and the right portion may extend normal to the topportion of the housing 3402. The top portion of the spring alignmentmember 3406 may extend between the left portion and the right portion toform the opening. The spring alignment members 3406 may, for example, beintegrally formed into the top portion of the housing 3402.

The top portion of the housing 3402 may also have one or more springretention members 3418 that extend from the top portion of the housing3402. As described in detail below, in operation, each spring retentionmember 3418 aligns with an aperture 3420 in spring mechanism 3404 andworks in cooperation with a spring alignment member 3406. Therefore,there are numerous configurations for spring retention member 3418 andaperture 3420. As illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 35, in oneembodiment spring retention members 3418 are substantiallytriangle-shaped so that they define a ramp angle that opposes acorresponding spring alignment member 3406. The spring retention members3418 may be integrally formed into the top portion of the housing 3402,or in the alternative may be attached to the top portion of the housing3402.

Spring mechanism 3404 may be attached to the top portion of the housing3402. The spring mechanism 3404 comprises a mounting portion 3410 fromwhich extend a plurality of fingers 3412 and one or more elongate springtabs 3414. Fingers 3412 may be configured in much the same manner asfingers 2730 (FIG. 29). As stated above, each elongate spring tab 3414includes an aperture 3420. Aperture 3420 is positioned on the elongatespring tab 3414 to align with the spring retention member 3418 ofhousing 3402. Aperture 3420 is also configured to be placed over andretained by the spring retention member 3418 of housing 3402. Springmechanism 3404 may also include one or more spring tabs 3416 that alsoextend from mounting portion 3410. Spring tabs 3416 preferably do notinclude an aperture 3420 and are shorter in length than elongate springtabs 3414.

As illustrated in FIG. 34, spring retention system 3400 provides for aconvenient method for attaching spring mechanism 3404 to housing 3402.For example, spring mechanism 3404 may be attached to housing 3402 byplacing spring mechanism 3404 flat against the top portion of housing3402 and sliding the elongate spring tabs 3414 through the openings inspring alignment members 3406. As a spring mechanism 3404 slides acrossthe top portion of housing 3402 and comes in contact with a springretention member 3418, an elongate spring member 3414 deflects until theaperture 3420 engages the spring retention member 3418. Elongate springmembers 3414 need not automatically deflect as a result of the slidingmotion and engagement with the spring retention members 3418. Forinstance, the elongate spring members may be manually deflected andarranged in cooperation with spring retention member 2418. In thismanner, spring alignment members 3406 may retain spring mechanism 3404relative to lateral and vertical movement, while the engagement ofapertures 3420 and spring retention members 3418 may prevent springmechanism 3404 from sliding within the openings in the spring alignmentmembers 3406.

Spring mechanism 3404 may be constructed of any material, which based onthe precise configuration of spring mechanism 3404 and housing 3402, hasa desirable spring constant that permits proper deflection of elongatespring tabs 3414. In one embodiment, spring mechanism 3404 may be madefrom a single sheet of 301 stainless steel that is approximately0.1901908 millimeters thick. The use of stainless steel reduces theprobability of the spring mechanism 3404 failing due to fatigue.

Referring to FIGS. 35-37, another spring retention system 3600 forretaining data media 102 in a data media storage device will bedescribed. Spring retention system 3600 provides a spring mechanism 3604attached to one side, for example a top portion, of a housing 3602 ofany of a variety of media storage devices.

Spring mechanism 3604 provides a force for securing data media 102 inslots (not shown) within housing 3602. The top portion of the housing3602 may have a plurality of spring alignment members 3606 and one ormore spring tabs 3608. The spring alignment members 3606 may beconfigured similar to spring alignment members 3406 (FIGS. 34 and 35).The top portion of the housing 3602 may also have one or more guide tabs3608. Guide tabs 3608 have a tab portion 3612 and an elongate portion3614 defined by a break 3610 in the top portion of the housing 3602. Asbest illustrated in FIGS. 36&37, tab portion 3612 extends substantiallynormal to the elongate portion 3614 defined by break 3610. One ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the break 3610 thatdefines elongate portion 3614 provides for some deflection of the guidetab 3608 with respect to the top portion of housing 3602. In thismanner, guide tabs 3608 operate as cantilevered springs.

Spring mechanism 3604 may be attached to the top portion of the housing3602. The spring mechanism 3604 comprises a mounting portion 3620 fromwhich extend a plurality of fingers 3622 and a plurality of spring tabs3624. Fingers 3620 may be configured in much the same manner as fingers2730 (FIG. 29). Spring tabs 3624 may be configured in much the samemanner as tabs 2732 (FIG. 29). As best illustrated in FIG. 37, springretention system 3600 provides for another convenient method forattaching spring mechanism 3604 to housing 3602. For example, springmechanism 3604 may be attached to housing 3402 by sliding spring tabs3424 through the openings in spring alignment members 3606. As springmechanism 3604 slides, mounting portion 3620 may apply a force to tabportion 3612, thereby deflecting guide tab 3608 away from the topportion of housing 3602. This deflection enables spring mechanism 3604to be easily positioned with respect to spring alignment members 3606.When spring mechanism 3604 is in the proper position within springalignment members 3606, the edge of the mounting portion 3620 of springmechanism 3604 preferably clears the tab portion 3612 of guide tab 3608,thereby returning the guide tab 3608 to the un-deflected position. Inthe un-deflected position, guide tabs 3608 prevent spring mechanism 3604from sliding within the openings in the spring alignment members, whilethe spring alignment members 3606 retain spring mechanism 3604 relativeto lateral and vertical movement.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments,particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examplesof implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of theprinciples of the invention. Many variations and modifications may bemade to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention withoutdeparting substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention.All such modifications and variations are intended to be included hereinwithin the scope of this disclosure and protected by the followingclaims.

Therefore, having thus described the invention, at least the followingis claimed:
 1. A data storage system, comprising: a plurality ofhousings arranged in vertical stacks, each of the plurality of housingsoperable to receive one or more media storage devices that areconfigured to receive a plurality of data media; a media handling systemconfigured to access the plurality of data media received by the mediastorage device; and a lift assembly configured to move the mediahandling system vertically between the plurality of housings andconfigured such that the media handling system is removably attached tothe lift assembly; wherein the media handling system and the liftassembly are configured such that the media handling system may bedetached from the lift assembly in a horizontal direction with respectto the vertical stacks; and wherein the media handling system comprisesa frame assembly configured for supporting the media handling system,and the lift assembly includes a lift frame configured for supportingthe lift assembly, the lift frame and the frame assembly being removablyattached.
 2. The data storage system of claim 1, wherein the lift framehas an electrical connector and the frame assembly has a matingconnector, the electrical connector and the mating connector configuredto be removably attached.
 3. The data storage system of claim 1, whereinthe lift frame and the frame assembly each comprise a rectangular boxframe having at least one side portion that has an opening, the frameassembly and the lift frame configured such that the frame assembly maybe removably inserted within the lift frame and the openings in the atleast one side portions are arranged to provide the media handlingsystem access to the plurality of data media received by the mediastorage device.
 4. The data storage system of claim 1, wherein the frameassembly includes a guide member attached to and extending from theframe assembly and the lift frame includes a lift frame guide memberattached to and extending from the lift frame, the lift frame guidemember located and configured to engage the guide member and guide theframe assembly as it is removably inserted within the lift frame.
 5. Thedata storage system of claim 1, wherein the lift frame includes a frameassembly retention spring attached to the lift frame and configured suchthat when the frame assembly is removably inserted within the liftframe, the frame assembly retention spring engages the frame assemblyand secures the frame assembly within the lift frame.
 6. A data storagesystem, comprising: a plurality of housings arranged in vertical stacks,each of the plurality of housings operable to receive one or more mediastorage devices that are configured to receive a plurality of datamedia; a media handling system configured to access the plurality ofdata media received by the media storage device, the media handlingsystem having a frame assembly configured for supporting the mediahandling system; and a lift assembly configured to move the mediahandling system vertically between the plurality of housings, the liftassembly having a lift frame that is removably attached to the frameassembly.
 7. The data storage system of claim 6, wherein the lift framehas an electrical connector and the frame assembly has a matingconnector, the electrical connector and the mating connector configuredto be removably attached.
 8. The data storage system of claim 6, whereinthe lift frame and the frame assembly each comprise a rectangular boxframe having at least one side portion that has an opening, the frameassembly and the lift frame configured such that the frame assembly maybe removably inserted within the lift frame and the openings in the atleast one side portions are arranged to provide the media handlingsystem access to the plurality of data media received by the mediastorage device.
 9. The data storage system of claim 6, wherein the frameassembly includes a guide member attached to and extending from theframe assembly and the lift frame includes a lift frame guide memberattached to and extending from the lift frame, the lift frame guidemember located and configured to engage the guide member and guide theframe assembly as it is removably inserted within the lift frame. 10.The data storage system claim 6, wherein the of the lift frame includesa frame assembly retention spring attached to the lift frame andconfigured such that when the frame assembly is removably insertedwithin the lift frame, the frame assembly retention spring engages theframe assembly and secures the frame assembly within the lift frame.